Long-Term Foster Care

Long-term fostering provides children with a stable, loving family home until adulthood. Learn about permanent foster care, how it differs from adoption, and how to become a long-term carer.

Long-term fostering offers children who cannot return to their birth families a stable, loving home where they can grow up feeling safe and supported. Also known as permanent fostering, this type of care provides the security and belonging that every child deserves. If you're considering making a lasting difference in a young person's life, this guide explains everything you need to know about becoming a long-term foster carer.

What is Long-Term Fostering?

Long-term fostering, sometimes called permanent fostering, is when a child lives with a foster family for an extended period – typically until they reach adulthood at 18, and often beyond. Unlike short-term fostering, which provides temporary care while decisions are made, long-term placements are intended to be the child's home for the foreseeable future.

Children are placed in long-term foster care when it's been determined that they cannot safely return to their birth family, but adoption isn't the right option for them. This might be because of their age, their existing attachments, or their own wishes about maintaining contact with their birth family.

According to government statistics, there are over 80,000 children in care in England, and many of them need long-term foster families who can provide stability throughout their childhood.

How Long Does Long-Term Fostering Last?

Long-term foster placements typically last:

At least two years – This is the minimum before a placement is formally classified as long-term
Until age 18 – Most long-term placements continue until the young person reaches adulthood
Beyond 18 – Through "Staying Put" arrangements, many young people remain with their foster families into their early twenties

The Care Planning and Fostering Regulations 2015 formally established long-term fostering as a legal permanence option, recognising its importance in providing children with lasting stability.

What is Staying Put?

Staying Put allows young people to continue living with their foster carers after they turn 18, giving them extra support as they transition to adulthood. Local authorities continue to provide support until the young person reaches 21 (or 25 if they're in education or training).

This arrangement recognises that leaving home at 18 is challenging for any young person – and even more so for those who've experienced the care system. Learn more about what happens when a foster child turns 18.

Why Do Children Need Long-Term Foster Care?

Children enter long-term foster care when courts or local authorities have determined that returning to their birth family isn't possible. Reasons include:

Safety concerns – Ongoing risks of abuse, neglect, or harm that cannot be resolved

Parental capacity – Birth parents unable to provide adequate care due to serious illness, addiction, or other circumstances

Child's age – Older children and teenagers are less likely to be adopted, making long-term fostering the best permanence option

Maintaining connections – Some children have strong bonds with siblings or birth family members that would be disrupted by adoption

Child's wishes – Older children may express a preference for fostering over adoption, wanting to maintain their identity and birth family connections

Long-Term Fostering vs Adoption: What's the Difference?

Many people wonder about the differences between long-term fostering and adoption. Both provide permanent homes, but there are key distinctions:

Comparison	Long-Term Fostering	Adoption
Legal status	Local authority retains parental responsibility	Full parental rights transfer to adoptive parents
Birth family contact	Usually maintained where appropriate	Often limited or no contact
Financial support	Ongoing fostering allowance	No ongoing financial support
Professional support	Continuous support from social workers	Support ends after adoption order
Decision making	Some decisions require permission	Full parental authority
Child's surname	Usually keeps birth name	Typically takes adoptive family name

Neither option is better than the other – they suit different circumstances. Long-term fostering is often more appropriate when:

The child is older and unlikely to be adopted
Maintaining birth family contact is important
The child has expressed a preference for fostering
Ongoing professional support would benefit the placement

For a more detailed comparison, read our guide on the difference between fostering and adoption.

Benefits of Long-Term Fostering

For Children

Stability and security – A permanent home provides the foundation children need to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically

Sense of belonging – Children become a true part of the family, sharing experiences, celebrations, and everyday life

Maintained identity – Children can keep their name and maintain appropriate contact with birth family members

Ongoing support – Access to therapeutic services, educational support, and other resources throughout their childhood

Preparation for adulthood – Staying Put arrangements ensure young people have support as they transition to independence

For Foster Carers

Lasting relationships – Many long-term foster carers describe their foster children as family, with relationships continuing long after the child reaches adulthood

Watching children flourish – The reward of seeing a child grow, develop confidence, and reach their potential over many years

Professional development – Ongoing training opportunities and support from experienced social workers

Financial security – Competitive fostering allowances that reflect your commitment and the child's needs

What Does a Long-Term Foster Carer Do?

As a long-term foster carer, you'll provide everything a child needs to grow into a confident, healthy adult:

Day-to-day care – Meeting physical, emotional, and developmental needs just as any parent would
Educational support – Encouraging learning, attending parents' evenings, and advocating for their educational needs
Emotional security – Being a consistent, reliable presence who helps them process difficult experiences
Life skills – Teaching practical skills like cooking, budgeting, and self-care as they approach adulthood
Identity work – Helping children understand their history and maintain appropriate connections with their past
Advocacy – Speaking up for the child's needs and rights in meetings and reviews

You'll also work closely with social workers, attend regular reviews, and complete training to develop your skills. Understanding the full roles and responsibilities of a foster carer will help you prepare.

Is Long-Term Fostering Right for Me?

Long-term fostering suits people who:

Can commit for the long haul – You're ready to care for a child through childhood and into adulthood
Want to build lasting bonds – You're looking for a family relationship, not just a caregiving role
Can handle challenges – Children in care often have complex backgrounds and may display difficult behaviours
Are patient – Building trust takes time, especially with children who've experienced trauma
Have family support – Your whole household needs to be on board with this commitment

You don't need to be married, own your home, or have previous fostering experience. Single people can foster, as can people with health conditions. What matters most is your ability to provide a loving, stable home.

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How Are Long-Term Matches Made?

Matching children with long-term foster families is a careful process designed to give every placement the best chance of success:

Understanding the child – Social workers build a detailed picture of the child's needs, history, preferences, and personality
Assessing your family – Your skills, experience, household composition, and what you can offer are considered
Identifying potential matches – Children are matched with families who can meet their specific needs
Introductions – Before any placement is confirmed, there's a settling-in period where everyone can get to know each other
Ongoing review – Regular reviews ensure the placement is working well and identify any additional support needed

This thorough approach means long-term placements are carefully considered – you won't be asked to care for a child unless there's a genuine belief it could work for everyone.

What Support Will I Receive?

Long-term fostering is rewarding but challenging. At Olive Branch Fostering, we provide comprehensive support to help you succeed:

24/7 telephone support – Expert advice whenever you need it, day or night
Dedicated supervising social worker – Regular visits, guidance, and advocacy
Specialist training – Courses on attachment, trauma, therapeutic parenting, and more
Support groups – Connect with other long-term carers who understand your journey
Respite care – Short breaks when you need time to recharge
Competitive allowances – Financial support that increases with your experience

We're committed to helping carers every step of the way, ensuring you never feel alone in this journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. During assessment, you'll discuss what age range suits your family. Some carers prefer younger children, while others specialise in fostering teenagers.

Usually, yes. Unlike adoption, children in long-term foster care typically keep their birth name, though some choose to use their foster family's name informally.

While the goal is permanence, sometimes placements don't work out despite everyone's best efforts. Your social worker will support you through any difficulties, and additional training or respite may help resolve challenges.

Not automatically, as you don't have legal parental status. However, you can include foster children in your will just like any other beneficiary.

Allowances vary based on the child's needs and your experience. Contact us to discuss our fostering allowances and benefits.

Ready to Provide a Lasting Home?

Long-term fostering is an extraordinary commitment – and an extraordinary privilege. You have the opportunity to become the stable, loving presence a child needs to overcome their past and build a bright future. Many long-term foster carers describe it as the most rewarding thing they've ever done.

If you're ready to explore long-term fostering, or want to learn more about what's involved, contact our friendly team today. We'll answer your questions honestly and help you decide if this path is right for you.

Call us on 01706 558910 or learn more about the fostering process and requirements to foster.

Benefits and allowances

When you choose to foster, you’ll receive benefits and allowances designed to cover the costs of care and recognise the incredible work you do. We’re proud to offer a competitive rate that ensures you’re fully supported in providing the best possible care.

Your allowance covers essentials like food, clothing, and household bills to meet the child’s needs, as well as additional expenses for any special requirements the children might have.

Alongside your financial allowance, you’ll have access to regular training and round-the-clock support from our team to help you feel confident and prepared.

If you’d like to learn more about how your allowances and benefits are calculated, we’re always here to talk it through!